NESS COUNTY—  Authorities have scheduled a preliminary hearing in the misconduct case against a Kansas Sheriff.

The hearing for Ness County Sheriff Bryan Whipple is scheduled for April 16 at 1p.m., according to the Trego County Attorney’s office.

Trego County Attorney Christopher Lyon has been appointed to act as special prosecutor in the case.

Authorities arrested Whipple December 21, for alleged perjury, making false information, criminal distribution of firearms to a felon, and official misconduct.  The crimes are suspected to have occurred over the past four years.

On January 29, Whipple was jailed in Ford County for alleged violation of his bond agreement.  Under the new conditions of his bond Whipple is prohibited from any contact with witnesses in the case, according to Lyon.  This prevents Whipple from working at the Ness County Sheriff’s office.

Staff is only allowed to bring him mail so that he can do billing while the investigation continues. Lyon also reminded that the sheriff is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.